Pressure plastic applicator



March 2, 1948. Y R. G. AMES 2,435,733

v PRESSURE PLASTIC APPLICA-TOR Filed Dec. 12, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. E0551? 7' 6? 41 155 BY 'ATTO IGEYS Match 2, 1948. R. 6. AMES PRESSURE PLASTIC APPLICA'TOR :s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 12, 1944 IN V EN TOR. 1%551? T 6.' 4215s March 2, 1948. RIG. AMES 2,436,783

PRESSURE PLASTIC APPLICATOR Filed Dec. 12, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVENTOR.

[ATTORNEYS as the applicator moves thereover.

Patented Mar. 2, 1948 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE 2,436,783 PRESSURE rms'rrc APPLICATOR' Robert G. Amos, Burlingame, Calif., asslgnor of one-half to George W. Williams and one-fourth to Stanley Ames, Burlingame, Calif.

Application December 12, 1944, Serial No. 567,826

ing case I shows. pressure plastic applicator with a flexible plate provided with means for delivering a mastic to the underside of the plate at a predetermined pressure so that this mastic will flll the wall board grooves. The plate is flexible so as to give a slight-crown efiect to the outer surface of the mastic.

I have found that the mastic when fed'under pressure to the pressure plastic applicator, continues to feed for a short time after the valve is shut ofi and theswltch for the pump mecha nism opened. This is due to the fact that the mastic is under pressure. An object of the present invention is to provide a pressure plastic applicator that has novel means for preventing the flow of mastic from the applicator head when the operator closes the valveand shuts ofi the current to the mechanism that delivers the mastic under pressure. 1

A further object of theinvention is to provide I an automatic on and off switch for the pumping mechanism so that no more than the desired quantity of mastic will be delivered to the groove The depth and therefore the capacity of the groove varies due to irregularities in the groove surface and this'requires a varying amount of mastic to be delivered. I provide novel means for temporarily storing any excess mastic, not required by the applicator, and using the storing means as an automatic governor for controlling the amount of mastic delivered to the applicator. This relieves the operator from manually turning the machine on and off while usingthe. deviceand prevents'any residueof mastic irom flowing from the device when the machine is passing over a shallow portion of s the groove.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the typedescribed which is simple in construction and which is durable and efiicient for the purpose intended. Although I have shown the device as being used on an applicator which handles mastic material, it is obvious that the device can be used to regulate the flow of cemenout in the appended claims.

. My invention is illustrated in the accompany- 'I will set forth how theplate l is connected to a 12 Claims. (01. 72-+13 0) ing drawing forming a part of this application in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the applicator taken substantially along the line l,-I of Figure 6 and showing the parts on a larger scale; v

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of Figure 1 on a reduced scale;

1 Figure 3 is a verticalsection taken substantially alongthe line 3-3 of Figure 1, certain of the parts being shown in'elevation; Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the switch arm and is taken along the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram; and Figure 6 is a schematic showing of the entire device. f While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made with inthe scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In carrying out my invention I first describe the applicator in detail and will then set forth the mechanism that supplies mastic under pressure to the applicator.

f Applicator i The applicator comprises a flexible plate I that has a front convex-shaped edge 2, see Figure 2, and a bottom-member 3, see Figure 3, that is spaced from the underside of the plate I and extends for a short distance under the rear portion of the plate. The plate I has an opening 4 over which a cylindrical casing 5 is mounted. The casing has a lower part 5a and an upper part 5b. The two parts are crimped together along their peripheries and bind the periphery of a diaphragm 6 to the casing wall. The center of the diaphragm is connected to a spring pressed plunger 1 by means of a screw 8 or other suitable fastening means. The plunger slides "in a sleeve 9' that is carried by the upper part 5b. A collar In is screwed down upon the threaded portion of the sleeve 9 and has an opening I I through which the top of the plunger 1 slides. A coil spring l2 encircles the plunger and bears against the collar It) for urging the plunger and the diaphragm down into the position shown in Figure 3.

Before describing the 'function of the plunger I handle [3. Reference to Figure 1 show the bandle l3 pivotally connected at [4 to a bail l5. The arms-of the bail are pivotally connected to ears 16 and these ears are placed at the sides of the plate at a position where the ends of the curved trailing edge 2 terminate. It will be seen from this construction that the handle |3 can swing about a transverse axis that extends through the ears l5 and can also swing about a pivot |4 whose axis extends at right angles to the plane of the bail l5, this plane cutting through the transverse .axis of'the ears Hi. This construction provide.- practically auniversal joint connection between the handle l3 and the plate I.

The handle has a hollow portion through which mastic under pressure is forced and this mastic is fed into branch pipes l1 and intofiexible hose connections 8 that communicate with hollow elbows I9. These elbows pivot on stub :pipes =20 -ating the latter.

and the pipes in turn, convey the masticfito the" lower portion 5a of the casing 5. There is a continual flow of mastic underpressu're so 'long as the machine is operating. The mastic will'be fed under the plate I and as the plate is moved over a'wall board groove,.as shown in-my co-pending application, the mastic will fill the groove andithe plate-is flexible enough to-form a-slightarc that will give a crown effect to. the outer surface of themastic. 7

Should the flow of mastic to the casing .5 be greater than needed, the excess masticwilliorce the diaphragm 6, upwardly into the casing 5 and will raise the plunger -1 against the compression of the spring -|2. InFlgure 3 Ishow the top of .the plunger positioned'under'an arm 2| of a bell crank lever switch arm-22 which is-pivoted at -23 to an upright 2.4, the upright beingcarried by the plate I. A coil spring- '25 *normallyurges the bell crank switch -arm-22 into a position where an electrical contact 26. carried by the other end- 21 of the 'arm will-engage with astationary contact 28, thereby closing the switch. Thestationary contact 28-is adjustable insa blockZBthat maybe made of insulatingmaterial. The switch- 22 iorms a part of an electrical circuit which will be presently described.

So long 'as the-switeh 2-2 is closed the pump forforcing mastic to the applicator will continue to operate. However,-.as soon astoo greatea quantity of mastic is delivered, the diaphragm 6 will be raised and with it the plunger 'l'for contacting and swinging the switch'arm 2| and separating -the contact -26froin-the' contact 28. In this way the pump -is'stoppe'd and. a further-flow of mastic to the casing 5'is prevented. vAs soon as, the-excess mastic in the casing! "is used-the spring- -pressedplunger l'will lower the diaphragm 6 and permit the switch 2 2 to again close andconnect the pump -with the source ofelectric current. The automatic switch 2'2 controls the pump actionso that a desiredquantity of "mastic under pressure 'will be delivered to' the applicator at 'alltimes. rAny excess fiow'of masticfrom theapplicatoris thus prevented.

.fMastic' pumpin'g mechanism It is best 'now-to describe thezm'astic pumping mechanism and this is showndiagrammatically in Figure6. 'Aiplatform 30 -is mounted on caster I wheels 3| and is movable overa-supporting surface'32 such-as a'floor. The platform carriesa hopper 33 and this hopper is adapted to hold a quantity of mastic sufficient, for example, to-fill allof the WELIIibOLIdflIYOOVES inasix-room house. A gear pump indicated generally at 34 draws masticfrom the hopper through a. pipe 35 and delivers the mastic to a-flexible-hose 36, the latter :being connected -to-thefhandle 13 of the applica- 1101 by meansof a valve 31. .A storage battery In Figure 5 I show a simple wiring diagram andit willbe-noted that when the handle 42 is -depressed a switch 43 will be closed and connect =the-battery 38 to a solenoid 44, the solesnoidsin turn closing a motor switch 45 which will connect the motor with the battery. The operation'of the motorcauses the pump to deliver mastic to the applicator. Should too large a quantity of mastic bedelivered the automatic switch 22 will open and :-Figure :5 shows this switch as being in series with the switch 43'. This will cut or: current flowing through the solenoid and the motor switch 45 will open and prevent the-motor fromoperating. No further mastic willbe .pumped totheapplicator until the automatic switch 22 againcloses. It will be seen that this switch .22 operates automatically even though the operator keeps the handle 42 de pressedfor. keeping the valve 3 'l open. The operator can'move the device fromroom-toroom in the house and the device will operate-automaticallyas'soon'as the handle 4'2 is depressed.

When the-operatoriis finished with anygiven operation and wishest'o-remove .thetool from .the wall, he can do so and will-open the switch 43. This stops the 'r'notor 39. The operator with his other hand canf'depres's a lever 4.6, see Figure 6, whic'hwill enlarge "a bellows "4'! .for sucking air through a hose/48 "that connects with the upper part 5b of th'ecasin'g 5, see Figure 3. A partial vacuumis created abovethediaphragm '6 of sllfiicient force to raise the "diaphragm and the plunger and permit the lower portion of the casing to suck in and hold a greater'quantity of mastic. This prevents'the mastic from flowing out from the plunger. 7

Inusing the device the-operator-takes the hand1e 'l3 and applies th'e'plate I "over the wall board groove as shown in my copending case. The pressure applied tothehandl'e'will keepthe plate on the groove and 'therefore'the mastic issuing from the applicator will only fillthe groove. The curved trailing-edge 2 extends beyond the pivot point ls' and permits the operator to control the pressure of the plate-"against the mastic. The supplyof masticwill meetthe varying conditions d'ue 'to the irregularitiesof the shapes and sizes of the groove portions. The mastic will be fed onl'y as required 'and'thepperator need not turn themachine on and off. The control is automatic and the casing 5 acts as a reservoir for any excess mastic or mud. The lip or trailing edge 2 'extends beyond the pivot point of greatest pressure.

I claim: a

"1. A pressure applicator comprising a plate :having a top and bottom surface and an opening therein '-for the passage of a cementitiousmaterial therethrough, acasing communicating with ithe opening-from the 'to'pof the plate, a flexible diaphragm dividing the-casing into-two compartments, one of the compartments communicating with the opening, means .for feeding a cementitious material to the compartment that communicates with the opening;saidf'compartment delivering the material through the opening and to the underside of the plate for 'application'to' a surface when the plate is appliedthereto', said means including a prime mover for delivering the material under pressure 'to'the material receiving compartment, and automatic control means actuated by the moving diaphragm when said compartment receivesan excess of material for stopping the prime mover ,from operating, whereby the material will be fed to the plate bottom surface as needed. j

2. A pressure applicator comprising a flexible plate having a top and bottom surfac'eiand an opening therein for the passage of a cementitious material therethrough, .a casing: having an open end communicating with the plateopening at the top surface of the plate,- a flexible diaphragm dividing the casing'into two compartments, one of the compartments communicating with the plate opening, means for'feeding a cementitious material to the commitment that communicates with the opening, said compartment delivering the material through thepp ening and to the underside of the'platefor application to asurface when the plate isapplie'dv thereto, said means including a cementitious pumpin'g device for delivering the material under pressureto the material receiving compartment, 'a spring pressed plunger for urging, the diaphragm "to press against the material in thecompartmena an electric motor for actuating the pumping device; a source of current, a'switchfor' connecting the motor to the source of current, and an auxiliary switch in series with the first switch, and being yieldingly held in closed position, said auxiliary switch being automatically opened by the plunger when the diaphragmlmovesthe plunger due to an excess of cementitious material in the com ,partment'. 3. In a device of the type described, a pair ofcompartments separated by a'flexible diaphragm, means for feeding a cementitious material into one compartment, said compartment having .an' 545 outlet for th'e'material, a plate 'for applying a cementitious material and having" an opening registering with the'outlet,said diaphragm being flexed by the material should a greater quantity of material be fed into the compartment than is carried out through the outlet and applied to the surface by the plate, and means actuated by the flexing of the diaphragm when too great a quantity of material is delivered into the said compartment for stopping said material feeding means, whereby the material is immediately stopped from being fed to the plate.

4. In a device of the type described, a pair of compartments separated by a flexible diaphragm, means for feeding a cementitious material into one compartment, said compartment having an outlet for the material, an applicator plate re-e ceiving material from the outlet preparatory to applying the material to a surface, said diaphragm being flexed by the material should a greater quantity be fed into the compartment than is dispensed through the outlet, means actuated by the flexing diaphragm when too great a quantity of material is delivered to the compartment for stopping the material feeding means until the excess material is used whereupon the material feeding means again starts functioning, manually controlled means for stopping the material feeding means, and means for creating a vacuum in the compartment that does not receive the material for causing the diaphragm to increase the capacity ot-the material-receiving compartment so thatthe compartment will 're-' ceive'and hold any "excess material that might enter the compartment when the feeding means is stopped thereby preventing'the'material from passing through the outlet.

5. In a device of the type described, a flexible plate'having a convex-shaped trailing edge, a handle pivoted to the plate along an axis that is'disposed adjacent to the ends of the edge, the handle being adapted to hold the plate against a surface and to move the plate therealong, and means for feeding a cementitious material under pressure to the underside of the plate so that the material will be applied to the surface asthe plate is moved thereover, the curved trailing edge giving suflicient breadth to the plate in back of the axis to permit the operator to control the pressure on the plate without causing the plate to pivot about said axis and therefore maintain the desired thickness to the layer of material applied to the surface.

6. A portable pressure applicator comprising a flexible plate, a handle for moving the plate over a surface, a movable hopper having a hose leading to the plate for delivering a cementitious material from the hopper to the underside of the plate, means for forcing material from the hoppe'r into the hose and including anelectric motor, a combination valve and switch for opening the hose and connecting the motor to a source of current, an auxiliary and automatic'switch in series with the first switch and being normally closed, and means actuated by an excess amount of material delivered to the plate fortemporarily and automatically opening the auxiliary switch and stopping the material feeding means until the excess material has been used.

7; A pressure applicator comprising a plate having a top and bottom-surface and an opening "therein for the passageof a'cementitious material therethrough, a casingcommunicating with the opening from the top of the plate, a flexible diaphragm forming a wall of the casing, means forfeeding a cementitious material to the casing,

said casing delivering it to the opening and to theunderside of the plate for application to a surface when the plate is applied thereto, said means including a prime mover for delivering the material under pressure to the material receiving casing, and automatic control means actuated by the moving diaphragm when said casing receives an excess of material for stopping the prime moverfrom operating, whereby the material will be fed to the plate bottom surface as needed. 7

8. A pressure applicator comprising a flexible plate having a top, and bottom surface and an opening therein for the passage of a cementitious material therethrough, a casing having an open end communicating'with the plate opening at the top surface of the plate, a flexible diaphragm forming a wall of thecasing, means for feeding a cementitious material to the casing for delivering the material through the opening and to the underside of the plate for application to a surface when the plate is applied thereto, said means including a cementitious pumping device for deaaeesame .911,... v ens-thee: mev theifll. d

q A heyple v, .fereie a emeht ti ue: mate iel! e t h eyeiel eof th d letee s he t erme erie 'te;

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fe endear; epen is moved; end-.euto e i -.c t' "e1 mea s ,eenheeted e he eedin meansend;bei eeetuetedhy e diaphra m-w en the cewsin zi e e vesuan exce eefia meterimnv for t ppin he f e in :meens; item;

eliv n ny m re: ma ri to he; cas n whereby a queht ty ofemat iel=lselweys i e he n heees ne; to be fed intee sur e evee imm diat y-wh n ne ded; ehsisthef meteri, be -the'eesi e o l -es heedesi v p ate evine-a .eqnve :sh ped; t etlm i ed e; and; side ed es adapt d t e nt e with the; surteee over which thedeviceis moved; a-handl e-pivqted+ to the p t elen ean e i hat is disposed edjae. cent tothaenqs gf the curved; edge; the pivetj ,ec meetitieusqmee euh e he-w e. h;-

thehlee terial for causin th letten tei evfo eed intoany voids in the. ur ace. o er whie he: appli etoe 11. In a deviqehf he-typeQ ser h mefiex mel K H f;plate-1hau ing t e-v m th wplate. ferxtempererlly and ute ty many open n theweuxiliery swit h: and :est ppin h eldineewltlig sid s: of the; mete; fiitj usm-ateriaI undee eitle t e-eeletefse ihahl ems he. surface wi h he e h f0 :feath s m. he he; ed e: exhgihefen enou to the rear. theegiy tai axis .Ier pne entingith front of the plate from being forcedqnpv rby the pressure of the: metex elvuhqere the elate- 12;Amessuxe epelieater. compris n a fl e 09. m1: bottom. surfa e and. an

l.-,cl ividine heeesiQgmm: t ocompertments, one

qfwthe. emmunieatine with. the "meensmf rv fe din a 0:2,.- he ompar m t hat he-e enihe end-"inc ud aor eemzeetinge se vdv me ns m eeeeutc QL'cu caus ng e e t s m te ielitjo hewethmuehtheconduit to t e c m a tmen commuhieetme with-etheplateopening, n means,onehebleemthenwillmof. the. operator for.

Deetme creati g a vacuumin heec mpertm t d es net received.the-ymeterial whereby, the operator a opemteethe vaeumnmeens. at the-time the switehz.ieh enehedef ra:increa ng; t e capacit of the v materie1=teQeiYing.-. compartment to receive eeny exeeee material-flowing Irem t eon u t.

ROBERT "G. AMES;

EEEERENGES' CITED The following references are of recordn inth e ile of, th anetent UNITED: s PAmEs-rATENTs Numben, V Heme Date 1.54:7;331'? Millet July 28,1925 Lfifisgfl Engine Oct. 27,1931 ZQZQQ Q: Qeyis Feb. 9, 19,37, 2.300.398; Ames ,mNov. 3, 1942 

